break

¹break

verb \ˈbrāk\

broke\ˈbrōk\bro·ken\ˈbrō-kən\break·ing

Definition of BREAK

transitive verb

1

a : to separate into parts with suddenness or violence b : fracture <break an arm> c : rupture <break the skin> d : to cut into and turn over the surface of <break the soil> e : to render inoperable <broke his watch>

2

a : violate, transgress <break the law> <break a promise> b : to invalidate (a will) by action at law

3

a archaic : to force entry into b : to burst and force a way through <break the sound barrier> <break a racial barrier> c : to escape by force from <break jail> d : to make or effect by cutting, forcing, or pressing through <break a trail through the woods>

4

: to disrupt the order or compactness of <break formation>

5

: to make ineffective as a binding force <break the spell>

6

a : to defeat utterly and end as an effective force : destroy <used starvation to break the enemy> b : to crush the spirit of <brutal methods broke the prisoner> c : to make tractable or submissive: as (1) past participle often broke : to train (an animal) to adjust to the service or convenience of humans <a halter-broke horse> (2) : inure, accustom d : to exhaust in health, strength, or capacity <broken by his struggle for power>

7

a : to stop or bring to an end suddenly : halt <break a deadlock> b : interrupt, suspend <break the silence with a cry> c : to open and bring about suspension of operation <break an electric circuit> d : to destroy unity or completeness of <break a dining room set by buying a chair> e : to change the appearance of uniformity of <a dormer breaks the level roof> f : to split the surface of <fish breaking water> g : to cause to discontinue a habit <tried to break him of smoking>

8

a : to make known : tell <break the bad news gently> b : to bring to attention or prominence initially <radio stations breaking new musicians> <break a news story>

9

a : to ruin financially <break the bank> b : to reduce in rank <broken from sergeant to private>

10

a : to split into smaller units, parts, or processes : divide b (1) : to give or get the equivalent of (a bill) in smaller denominations (2) : to use as the denomination in paying a bill <didn't want to break a $20 bill> —often used with into, up, or down

11

a : to check the speed, force, or intensity of <the bushes will break his fall> <without breaking her stride> b : to cause failure and discontinuance of (a strike) by measures outside bargaining processes

12

: to cause a sudden significant decrease in the price, value, or volume of <news likely to break the market sharply>

13

a : exceed, surpass <break the record> b : to score less than (a specified total) <a golfer trying to break 90> c : to win against (an opponent's service) in tennis d : to make (a run) in football by getting past defenders <broke a 20-yard run>

14

: to open the action of (a breechloader)

15

a : to find an explanation or solution for : solve <the detective broke the case> b : to discover the essentials of (a code or cipher system)

16

: to demonstrate the falsity of <break an alibi>

17

: to ruin the prospects of <could make or break her career>

18

: to produce visibly <barely breaks a sweat>

intransitive verb

1

a : to escape with sudden forceful effort <the attacker broke from the throng> b : to come into being by or as if by bursting forth <day was breaking> c : to effect a penetration <break through security lines> d : to emerge through the surface of the water e : to start abruptly <when the storm broke> f : to become known or published <when the news broke> g : to make a sudden dash <break for cover> h : to separate after a clinch in boxing i : to achieve initial success in usually a sudden or striking way <her song broke nationally> j : to begin a race <the horse broke poorly>

2

a : to come apart or split into pieces : fragment, shatter <the cup broke when it fell> b : to open spontaneously or by pressure from within <the blister broke> c of a wave : to curl over and fall apart in surf or foam

3

: to interrupt one's activity or occupation for a brief period <break for lunch>

4

: to alter sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity <a voice breaking with emotion>

5

: to become fair : clear <when the weather breaks>

6

: to make the opening shot of a game of pool

7

: to end a relationship, connection, or agreement —usually used with with or from

8

: to give way in disorderly retreat

9

a : to swerve suddenly b : to curve from a straight path <a pitch that breaks away from the batter> <a putt that breaks left>

10

a : to fail in health, strength, vitality, resolve, or control <may break under questioning> b : to become inoperative because of damage, wear, or strain <the pump broke>

11

: to fail to keep a prescribed gait —used of a horse

12

: to undergo a sudden significant decrease in price, value, or volume <transportation stocks may break sharply>

13

: happen, develop <for the team to succeed, everything has to break right>

14

: to win against an opponent's service in tennis

15

a : to divide into classes, categories, or types —usually used with into <the rose is broken into several varieties> b : to fold, bend, lift, or come apart at a seam, groove, or joint c of cream : to separate during churning into liquid and fat

— break a leg

—used to wish good luck especially to a performer

— break bread

: to dine together

— break camp

: to pack up gear and leave a camp or campsite

— break cover also break covert

: to start from a covert or lair

— break even

: to achieve a balance; especially : to operate a business or enterprise without either loss or profit

— break free

: to get away by overcoming restraints or constraints

— break ground

1

: to begin construction

2

or break new ground : to make or show discoveries : pioneer

— break into

1

: to begin with or as if with a sudden throwing off of restraint <broke into tears> <face breaking into a smile> <the horse breaks into a gallop>

2

: to make entry or entrance into <broke into the house> <break into show business>

3

: interrupt <break into a TV program with a news flash>

— break one's heart

: to crush emotionally with sorrow

— break one's wrists

: to turn the wrists as part of the swing of a club or bat

— break ranks also break rank

: to differ in opinion or action from one's peers —often used with with

— break the back of

: to subdue the main force of <break the back of inflation>

— break the ice

1

: to make a beginning

2

: to get through the first difficulties in starting a conversation or discussion

— break wind

: to expel gas from the intestine

Examples of BREAK

1. She broke the cup when she dropped it on the floor.
2. Break the chocolate bar into pieces so that everyone can have some.
3. It is easiest to break a chain at its weakest link.
4. A chain will break at its weakest link.
5. The fall broke his arm.
6. His arm broke in three places when he fell.
7. A bruise forms when a blood vessel breaks under the skin.

Origin of BREAK

Middle English breken, from Old English brecan; akin to Old High German brehhan to break, Latin frangere

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BREAK

Synonyms: break up, bust, distintegrate, dismember, disrupt, fracture, fragment, rive

Antonyms: advance, elevate, promote, raise

Related Words: atomize, crush, grind, powder, pulverize, reduce; blast, blow up, burst, detonate, explode; crack, pop, shatter, shiver, smash; chip, sliver, splinter, split; implode; destroy, ruin, wreck

Near Antonyms: doctor, fix, heal, mend, patch, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, renovate, repair

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with BREAK

ache, bake, brake, cake, crake, drake, Drake, fake, flake, hake, jake, lake, make, quake, rake, sake, shake, slake, snake, stake, steak, strake, take, wake